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The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Five): The Parable of the Leaven
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsIn the Parable of the Leaven, as recorded in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21, Jesus Christ forewarns of internal doctrinal distortions that would affect God's church through the centuries until His second coming. This parable, one of the first four in Matthew 13, reveals the future progress of the church, specifically how God's doctrines are corrupted. Leaven, in this context, symbolizes evil and corruption, consistent with its negative representation throughout the Bible. Jesus Christ uses it to signify the corrupt doctrines of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod, marked by hypocritical formality, skepticism, and shameful self-indulgence in worldly desires. Later distortions of doctrine through the ages are characterized by greed, pride, control, and worldly desires, subtly striking against the truth as leaven is hidden in the meal. The woman in the parable represents a system of beliefs and practices that influence others, acting as an opponent of Christ by surreptitiously infusing His church with corrupting ideas. She hides the leaven of false doctrine in the meal, encrypting it in secrecy to conceal her actions. The three measures of meal signify love, service, and loyalty to others, particularly within the church, mirroring the meal offering that was never to contain leaven. Jesus Christ warns that these false doctrines, stealthily introduced, would erode and destroy relationships, spreading self-absorbed and uncaring attitudes through the church just as leaven spreads through dough, ultimately hindering the love and service meant to define the brethren.
The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.
Influence of Leavening
Sermonette by James BeaubelleBoth the Old and New Testaments illustrate that sin is subtle, persuasive, and deeply rooted, prompting Almighty God to call His saints to come out of Babylon.
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe tares and wheat must coexist until the harvest when the fruit will become clearly seen, at which time a separation and judgment will take place.
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 2): Leaven
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Kingdom of God or of Heaven has past, present, and future aspects. The Kingdom parables primarily provide instruction for the present aspect.
Dominion and Leaven (Part Two)
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeContrary to Dominion Theology, the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven are not about the church but describe the history and condition of Israel.
Unleavened Bread Basics
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe Feast of Unleavened Bread memorializes God's deliverance from the environment of sin rather than our coming out of sin. Christ embodies sincerity and truth.
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBitterness divides one member of Christ's Body from another. Individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to justify leaving a congregation.
Leavening: The Types
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe holy days are reliable teaching tools, emphasizing spaced repetition to reinforce our faulty memories and drive the lesson deep into our thinking.
What Is Christ's Hidden Treasure?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe parables of the leaven and the treasure hidden in the field show two sides of the same coin. The hidden treasure is the God-given solution to the leaven.
God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Three): Hidden Treasure
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeIn Matthew 13, the hidden treasure the man finds provides the spiritual solution to the leaven - corruption - the woman hides in the three measures of meal.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe strife between this world's belief systems shows that God did not originate them. False teachings are dangerous because they can erode the faith.
Freedom and Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChristian freedom has nothing to do with location or circumstance but how we think. By imbibing on God's Word, we will incrementally displace our carnality.
Matthew (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Pharisees and Sadducees, who normally opposed each other, joined forces against their common enemy, Jesus. They should have recognized Him as the Messiah.
Unleavened Bread and Hope
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAfter we purge the corruption from our lives, we must replace it with the anti-leaven of truth and sincerity, or our last state will be worse than the first.